Community Chat

[goldensrbest]

This is for those that have had one , how did you like it,any problems with it?

[ciao_bella]

While I don't own a Subaru Forester myself (I own a Honda CRV), my boss/principal always owned a Subaru CRV.  He said that they were the most reliable and safest cars he's ever owned.   

[3JJJ]

I have had 5 Subarus, three of which were Foresters.  Obviously, love them.  I live in a rural area and never missed a day of work because of snow thanks to my Subaru.  I have purchased everyone new.  Subarus are the only car I have ever bought.  I highly recommend.  Where I live, the service dept. is excellent.  Subaru owners come from all over for them to service their car.  I feel very secure with my car and knowing the service dept. looks out for me.  Hope you enjoy your new car.

[Venezia]

DH and I both have Subaru Foresters.  My current one is a 2021, his is 2015.

In total I've had three (four counting his); traded my previous ones in with over 100,000 miles on the clock.  No issues with any of them; just regular maintenance.  We both love the way they handle in New England winters.

I wouldn't have anything else.  (Had a Toyota Camry in the past and it was junk.  Died at just over 100,000 with regular maintenance.  Engine blew.  Switched to Subaru and have never looked back.)

Check out "Consumer Reports" annual auto issue for reliability and ratings.

[NYwoman]

I owned  A Subaru Outback that was listed as a Forrester on my registration.   I love the Subaru as a safe, comfortable car excellent for snow and Winter conditions.  There are particularities to the Subaru cars.  One, you need someone who has experience with the brand to work on them.   The engine is seated sideways (in relation to all other cars).  If the engine needs to be removed for service, the car body is lifted instead.  So, shops must be able to do this.  Certain areas of the car can rust.  Mine rusted by the fuel intake.

The tires are a different size, usually wider than other cars.   but that makes the traction better.   But the one thing that was a downer for me: the engine completely died and needed to be replaced at 200,000 miles.  No ifs ands or buts about it.  Now, they may have improved since then.  But you need to do research on it.

[Group 5 minus 1]

One of the many things I like about our Subies is that it  gets us up the driveway when the weather is bad.

[Venezia]

@NYwoman - I think I remember you posting on another recent thread about Subarus and your complaint that Subaru wouldn't offer you any compensation when your Outback engine died at 200,000 miles. (?)  Or am I confusing you with someone else?  If I am, apologies.

The point was made by others that no car manufacturer guarantees their car engines for that long.  In any event, I'd consider 200,000 reasonable return for my money.

And, as someone who has my Foresters serviced by a local, independent garage, I have never run into the issue of needing a specialist to work on them.

Also, I've seen a Forester that needed to have the engine removed to perform work for a recall; the engine was lifted just like any other car.  The body of the Forester wasn't lifted at all.

All vehicles rust; a lot depends on environmental conditions and that has nothing to do with the make.  But I can honestly say I've never had any rusting problems on any of my Foresters.  And no problem buying tires from any local shops; no specialist tires required.

Obviously, you had what you considered a bad experience with your Outback.  In my case, I could've understood Toyota not doing anything if the engine blew on my Camry at 200,000 - but it blew at 100,000, was the subject of a class-action lawsuit and Toyota stonewalled for 3 years until we disposed of it, so they avoided ever having to pay out.  I'd never buy another Toyota.  EVER.

I'm not sure how long ago your experience was, but I suspect it was a long time ago and things have changed.  (And an Outback being listed as a Forester on your registration?  That sounds very suspect and should've been rectified by the dealer.)

[PamfromCT]

I am on my second Forester.  It is a number of years old with no problems.  I love my car and would buy another one in a heartbeat.  A very safe car, wonderful in bad weather.

[Tori3569]

I'm on my 3rd Forester right now.  No issues at all.  Best car I've ever driven in bad NY weather.   No issues taking any of them for service anywhere from the dealership to Pep Boys and no special techniques used.  

[SaveTheTurtles]

@goldensrbest  My daughter has a Forester and Ascent she likes them. We had an Outback and found it to be most uncomfortable on longer trips. We sold it back to the dealer a couple years ago and kept our Camry even though it was the older car because it was comfortable. We would not purchase another.